Blown light bulb

[Booldawg]

A common household thing, usually. This bulb has blown, leaving the bayonet part still in the light fitting. I've never seen a bulb blow like is. My concern is that it is a wiring problem rather than the bulb itself - any thoughts on this before I turn the fuse box off and change the bulb?

[Gef]

Probably just a one off with that bulb. No need to turn the fuse box off (unless the fuse itself has blown) just make sure the lamp is off before you attempt to replace the bulb.

[Booldawg]

Ok Thanks, was a bit worried about sticking pliers on the bayonet cap with the main fuse box still on, but i'm sure i'm adequetly insured!

[stanleyman]

How do you know it is off without turning the power off? Unless you know what you are doing always play safe.

When a lamp filament breaks the resulting high voltage arc can produce a small plasma explosion, this the "pop" that is sometimes heard and it can sometimes be enough to break the glass.

[Robert G]

I agree with stanleyman. Don't take chances - turn off the power, not merely the switch. Remember that some switches may have been wired the wrong way round, and also that some lights have two switches in their circuit (eg. in through rooms and on stairs & landings) meaning that a light can be 'on' when a switch is in what one might normally think of as the 'off' position.

[Robert G]

Sorry, I hadn't finished!

I think it is unlikely that you have a wiring problem.

[joko]

that happened to me twice with 2 bulbs from a pack of 4. they were screw-in and candleflame shaped. i figured they were just a cheapish make or a dodgy batch - blackspur i think - my mum sells them and has never had any other complaints though...

the most annoying thing is i was sitting near the lamp and it made a loud pop, hit me on the head, the power to the whole house went off, making me jump - and dropping my laptop off my knee - breaking the screen!

...actually i should have sued them...

[qapmoc]

Never NEVER EVER assume that when something is switched off it is ''dead'' or not live electrically and even when the circuit breaker is switched off be carefull about touching it, if possible test it with a neon type tester/screwdriver to make sure that it is dead.
The thing is, you never know what has been done with the wiring that you can't see, I have seen places where two seperate circuits have been connected together in a junction box so that you had to put off two different circuit breakers before the power was off.

[The Cowboy]

I have heard that this works but have never tried it myself, so no guarantees.

Get a brand new bar of soap. Make sure it is bone dry and stick the end gently onto the broken bayonet cap and turn. This will/should get the broken part out.

If you have any doubts or fears then get an electrician in. Do not use pliers...to bloody dangerous.

Cowboy

[Bob A Job]

'The Cowboys' trick works just as well with a potato, or carrot. Ive done it several times when this type of light faliure happens at night and you need power to see what you are doing. although i would always recomend waiting till daylight and turning off the power.

[woofgang]

don't use a carrot, potato or other moisture containing item if you are not SURE that the socket is not live!!. I would deffo turn the power off at the mains because i am a belt and braces type person who enjoys being alive!!. Sockets can still give you a belt when turned off at the mains if there is capacitance in the system, so i would probably test first as well

[Booldawg]

thanks for the input all. I turned off the main fuse box, as quite rightly so, you're never sure if the power is definitely off if the bulb isnt working. The new bulb is working so I think it could just have been the bulb rather than the wiring.

[stanleyman]

Just a thought Booldawg, why aren't you using low energy lighting, they last a lot longer?

[Booldawg]

only moved in at end of december. i will be changing all light fittings as the ones downstairs are those 4 x 50w halogen fittings. Eeeek! 200w every time you want to turn a light on!